Keo Chronicles: March 13, 1945

(Keo's childhood home, located just east of the intersection of Maxwell and Monroe streets in North Spokane.)

E. softened the water -- so she could wash her hair. I suggested I use the hot water in the tank (to get it down to the soft water) and wash up what clothes were still soiled. But that turned out to be a big mistake. Eva brought hers over too. She did most of the washing. I hung them up in basement. I noticed the dampness right away on my shoulders.

Came up stairs and put a sweater on to finish. When I got in bed had symptoms of a cold, thought I could head it off my massaging neck. But felt sick most of the night. I took aspirin and kept my throat filled with honey.

Notice the mechanics of washing back then before modern washing machines and dryers. Everything took so much longer. And Keo's dread of the cold, and hopes of staving it off, are still a universal concern in cold season. Instead of aspirin and honey, people take Airborne and hope for the best.

A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.